COMMENTARY & ANALYSIS

Econographics deep dives

Special sections that go inside the Chinese economy, the evolution of sanctions, and the future of money.

 

Sinographs

In-depth analysis of economic and financial trends in the Chinese economy.

Fintech frontlines

Research and analysis on the intersection of technology and policy developments in finance.

Global sanctions dashboard

Monthly analysis of global sanctions regimes—highlighting new listings, delistings, and the motivations behind these changes.

Featured analysis

Are Italians giving the establishment the boot?

Econographics Feb 10, 2026

China’s warning on US Treasuries—and why its timing matters

By Jeremy Mark, Josh Lipsky

Beijing has joined the conversation on the dollar. It was leaked this week that Chinese regulators have been urging domestic financial institutions to cut back on US Treasuries, and this timing is no coincidence.
China Dollar Dominance
Are Italians giving the establishment the boot?

Econographics Feb 4, 2026

Understanding the vibe shift on the dollar

By Daniel McDowell, Bart Piasecki, Jessie Yin

Gold prices surged to record highs last week, driven by trade tensions, tariffs, and dollar uncertainty. For some, the rally signals rising skepticism about the greenback’s stability—even as policymakers insist the US remains committed to a strong dollar.
Dollar Dominance Economy & Business
Are Italians giving the establishment the boot?

Econographics Jan 22, 2026

When will Wall Street’s tolerance for uncertainty run out?

By Jessie Yin, Josh Lipsky

In a decade of geoeconomic shocks, few events have truly shaken investor confidence. But Wall Street may be too complacent to political volatility.
Economy & Business Macroeconomics

Latest analysis

Econographics

Jun 17, 2024

India outpaces the rest of the G20 in gold purchases

By <span class="gta-embed–tax–expert gta-post-embed–tax–expert">Josh Lipsky</span>, <span class="gta-embed–tax–expert gta-post-embed–tax–expert">Alisha Chhangani</span>

In the last four months alone, India has added over twenty-four metric tons to its reserves—more than what the country had purchased in all of 2023.

Economy & Business India

Econographics

Jun 14, 2024

Designing a blueprint for open, free and trustworthy digital economies

By <span class="gta-embed–tax–expert gta-post-embed–tax–expert">Carole House</span>

US digital policy must be aimed at improving national security, defending human freedom, dignity, and economic growth while ensuring necessary accountability for the integrity of the technological bedrock.

Artificial Intelligence Cybersecurity

Econographics

Jun 13, 2024

Low employment: The Achilles’ heel of Modi’s economic model

By <span class="gta-embed–tax–expert gta-post-embed–tax–expert">Hung Tran</span>

The challenge to Modi in the next five years is to carry out a balancing act between maintaining the recent growth momentum and making it more inclusive by providing regular employment.

Economy & Business Inclusive Growth

AfricaSource

Jun 3, 2024

In a Congolese mining case, Biden can secure a win for US sanctions policy in Africa

By <span class="gta-embed–tax–expert gta-post-embed–tax–expert">Benjamin Mossberg</span>

Easing sanctions on Dan Gertler gives Washington the opportunity to show that its sanctions policy toward Africa can be effective.

Africa Corruption
BYD electric vehicles

Econographics

May 23, 2024

Biden’s electric vehicle tariff strategy needs a united front

By <span class="gta-embed–tax–expert gta-post-embed–tax–expert">Sophia Busch</span>, <span class="gta-embed–tax–expert gta-post-embed–tax–expert">Josh Lipsky</span>

President Biden has announced 100 percent tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles. The challenge is developing a united strategy with G7 allies.

China Economy & Business

Econographics

May 22, 2024

There’s less to China’s housing bailout than meets the eye

By <span class="gta-embed–tax–expert gta-post-embed–tax–expert">Jeremy Mark</span>

Beijing’s property measures are a drop in the ocean

China Economy & Business

Econographics

May 21, 2024

The Euro’s share of international transactions is likely smaller than it looks 

By <span class="gta-embed–tax–expert gta-post-embed–tax–expert">Hung Tran</span>

And the renminbi’s is larger.

China Economy & Business

Econographics

May 21, 2024

Russia Sanctions Database: May 2024

By <span class="gta-embed–tax–expert gta-post-embed–tax–expert" >Kimberly Donovan, Maia Nikoladze, Ryan Murphy, and Alessandra Magazzino</span>

The Atlantic Council’s Russia Sanctions Database tracks the restrictive economic measures Western allies have placed on Russia and evaluates whether these measures are successful in achieving the stated objectives.

China East Asia

Econographics

May 14, 2024

What to do about ransomware payments

By <span class="gta-embed–tax–expert gta-post-embed–tax–expert">Carole House</span>

And why payment bans alone aren’t sufficient.

Artificial Intelligence Cybersecurity

Econographics

May 8, 2024

‘Creative solutions’ with Russia’s immobilized assets must rise to the challenge Ukraine now faces

By <span class="gta-embed–tax–expert gta-post-embed–tax–expert" >Oleg Dunda</span>

$280 billion of Russian reserves can be used more strategically–without crossing red lines–to get funding to Ukraine.

Financial Sanctions and Economic Coercion International Financial Institutions
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Content

EconoGraphics

Feb 26, 2018

Are Italians giving the establishment the boot?

By <span class="gta-embed--tax--expert gta-post-embed--tax--expert" >Alexatrini Tsiknia and Ole Moehr</span>

Italians go to the polls on March 4th to elect a new government. Under a new electoral system, the outcome is uncertain. The Global Business and Economics program looks at some key economic indicators that could influence the election.

Economy & Business European Union

EconoGraphics

Feb 6, 2018

Secondary Sanctions: A First Glance

By <span class="gta-embed--tax--expert gta-post-embed--tax--expert" >Ole Moehr</span>

This edition of our EconoGraphic blog explains the difference between primary and secondary sanctions, outlines how secondary sanctions work, and uses a case study to demonstrate how the United States employs secondary sanctions in the real economy.

China Economy & Business

EconoGraphics

Jan 22, 2018

The Irish Border Question

By <span class="gta-embed--tax--expert gta-post-embed--tax--expert" >Ole Moehr</span>

The future of the Irish border is one of the key sticking points in the ongoing Brexit negotiations between the European Union (EU) and the United Kingdom (UK).

Economy & Business European Union

EconoGraphics

Dec 22, 2017

Parties Supporting Independence Win Slim Majority, But Catalonia’s Complex Stalemate Continues

By <span class="gta-embed--tax--expert gta-post-embed--tax--expert" >Michael Farquharson & Alvaro Morales Salto-Weis</span>

The outcome of yesterday’s regional elections in Catalonia reflects the electorate’s deep polarization on the issue of regional independence.

Economy & Business Southern & Southeastern Europe

EconoGraphics

Dec 12, 2017

Catalonia: Secession Recession?

By <span class="gta-embed--tax--expert gta-post-embed--tax--expert" >Michael Farquharson & Alvaro Morales Salto-Weis</span>

The region of Catalonia will hold critical elections on December 21. The stakes are high: the region unilaterally declared its independence on October 1 and subsequently saw the rule of its regional government suspended by Madrid’s central government pursuant to Article 155 of the Spanish constitution.

Economy & Business Southern & Southeastern Europe

EconoGraphics

Nov 27, 2017

Tariff on the Rising Sun

By <span class="gta-embed--tax--expert gta-post-embed--tax--expert" >Michael Farquharson & Ole Moehr</span>

In April of this year, Suniva, a Chinese-owned, US-based solar manufacturer filed a rarely-used Section 201 petition with the US International Trade Commission (ITC), requesting the imposition of minimum prices for solar module imports into the United States. In May, German-based SolarWorld joined Suniva’s petition, and in September, the ITC ruled in favor of the plaintiffs, ultimately recommending up to a 35 percent tariff on imported solar modules.

Economy & Business Renewables & Advanced Energy

EconoGraphics

Nov 7, 2017

Multilateral Sanctions: Brexit Wrecks-it?

By <span class="gta-embed--tax--expert gta-post-embed--tax--expert" >Michael Farquharson & Ole Moehr</span>

On October 3, 2017, the Atlantic Council hosted a conference with experts from the public and private sector to discuss the impact of Brexit on economic sanctions policymaking. The United Kingdom (UK) currently plays a considerable role crafting and implementing sanctions policy in the European Union (EU). Transatlantic cooperation and sanctions alignment are vital to ensure the effectiveness of this essential foreign policy tool.

Economy & Business European Union

EconoGraphics

Oct 20, 2017

The US Infrastruct-cure

By <span class="gta-embed--tax--expert gta-post-embed--tax--expert" >Michael Farquharson & Ole Moehr</span>

Infrastructure investment stimulates economic growth. According to McKinsey & Company, an increase in infrastructure investment equal to 1 percent of gross domestic product (GDP) would convert into an additional 1.5 million direct and indirect jobs in the United States. America’s infrastructure is in a state of disrepair.

Economy & Business Europe & Eurasia

EconoGraphics

Sep 25, 2017

Crude Awakening

By <span class="gta-embed--tax--expert gta-post-embed--tax--expert" >Ole Moehr</span>

On August 2, 2017, US President Donald J. Trump signed into law H.R.3364, a new set of economic sanctions aimed primarily on Russia (with additional measures adopted against Iran and North Korea). Essential to the success of any sanctions regime is its alignment.

Economy & Business European Union

EconoGraphics

Jul 25, 2017

The Apprentice

By <span class="gta-embed--tax--expert gta-post-embed--tax--expert" >Samuel Weitzman</span>

On June 15, 2017, US President Donald J. Trump issued Executive Order 13801, which sought “to promote affordable education and rewarding jobs for American workers” by increasing the number of apprenticeship opportunities. Trump’s stated goals are ambitious. With a proposed ApprenticeshipUSA budget of $200 million (roughly double the previous amount), the president wants to increase the number of US apprenticeships from 505,000 in 2016 to 5 million by 2022.

Economy & Business United States and Canada
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